Abstract
We describe a hepatitis B virus carrier who satisfied the criteria of autoimmune hepatitis proposed by the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group. A 43-year-old Japanese female showed human leukocyte antigen typing including DR4 in addition to hypergammaglobulinemia, presence of autoantibodies, and liver histology suggestive of autoimmune hepatitis. Moreover, the predominant presence of hepatitis B core antigen in nuclei rather than in cytoplasm of hepatocytes suggested less of a possibility of liver cell damage related to hepatitis B virus infection. She completely responded to immunosuppressive therapy and no clinical or biochemical relapse has been recognized to date.
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Alanine Transaminase / blood
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Autoantibodies / blood
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Autoimmune Diseases / blood
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Autoimmune Diseases / etiology*
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Autoimmune Diseases / immunology
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Autoimmune Diseases / pathology
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Autoimmune Diseases / virology
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Azathioprine / therapeutic use
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Biomarkers
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Carrier State*
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Female
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Hepatitis / blood
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Hepatitis / etiology*
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Hepatitis / immunology
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Hepatitis / pathology
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Hepatitis / virology
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Hepatitis B / blood
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Hepatitis B / complications*
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Hepatitis, Chronic / etiology
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Hepatitis, Chronic / immunology
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Hepatitis, Chronic / virology
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Humans
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Hypergammaglobulinemia / etiology
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Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
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Liver / pathology
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Liver / virology
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Prednisolone / therapeutic use
Substances
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Autoantibodies
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Biomarkers
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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Prednisolone
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Alanine Transaminase
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Azathioprine